Chapter 28: Closer
Beth had sang the same song about ten times now. She was sure this was the take the producer would be happy with. The demo tape only took one take but laying out the tracks for the album weren't as easy.
Daryl rubbed her shoulders as he stood behind her. They had moved into the condo owned by MotherDick Records until the record had been completed.
The four bedroom condo was massive with an impressive view of downtown Atlanta. The Georgia branch of the recording company had its perks, but Abe insured them once they got to Texas, they'd lived like royalty. The tour would take them to nine cities and circle back around to Houston.
Everyone was waiting as the producer went over the last take. The group was becoming restless as the small recording booth started to close in on them. Tara picked up the set list and furrowed her eyebrows. "I thought we had to record six songs. There are only five on this sheet."
Glenn took it from her, wondering where the other cover song was. "We decided to cover My Immortal, didn't we?"
The producer, Milton, clicked on the mic to clear up the situation. "Mr. Ford said that song was a no go. He didn't think it showcased Beth's voice. Work on getting the four original songs done and we'll work on the covers"
Beth rolled her eyes and slumped forward. "We've been at this for two weeks and we've only got Velvet done. If I have to sing Fire and Ice one more time I may scream."
Milton walked into the recording booth with his usual blank expression on his face. He was a clean cut man with glasses and that science teacher look. He was a hard one to please but Abe was paying him to get the best recording he could.
"I think that last take was the one. Take a break and I'll set up for the next song," he walked out and went back to the mixing board.
Daryl pulled Beth in his arms, kissing her forehead. "Want to take advantage of that big whirlpool tub tonight?"
She rested her head on his chest, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Oh my, yes."
Maggie and Merle came in with lunch for everyone, passing out the sandwiches and sodas. Merle took a bite of his tuna sandwich with a grin.
"Tara, that new wardrobe girl asked about you," he patted her back as he walked by her.
"Her name is Alisha and we're going out tomorrow," Tara was almost blushing, her smile stretching her face.
Glenn took Maggie's hand as she sat in his lap. "Looks like everyone is hooking up."
Merle put his hands behind his head and kicked his feet up on the stool in front of him. "Tara is hookin' up, Glenn is playin' house and baby brother and Blondie are knockin' boots more than a rabbit in heat. Don't give me that look Darylina… my room is next to yers."
Beth tossed her banana nut muffin at him, wishing he'd shut up for once. He caught the muffin and took a big bite out of it. "Looks like yer not the only one tastin' Blondie's muffin."
Beth, Maggie and Tara all yell out Merle to get out in unison. He jumped up, raising his hands and walked out of the room.
"He's not wrong, you know," Tara said, fighting the smirk on her face.
"What?" Beth looked back at her with a blush burning her face off.
Maggie started laughing so hard she nearly spit her soda out. "Oh God…Daryl… yes… don't stop."
"Knock it off," Daryl growled back at them. He was used to Merle giving him grief, but he didn't like the girls doing it to Beth.
"Touchy," Maggie whispered to Glenn. There was a dead hush in the room as they ate.
Milton came back in, ready to get back to recording. "Over The Bay… from the top."
~ OO ~
It was close to midnight when they finally left the recording studio. Rosita had given them a schedule and tour list yesterday and they only had six weeks left until the tour started.
Beth walked to the back of the condo, tossing her purse and shoes on her bed when she walked in.
"We have to get three more songs done, that's assuming Mr. One More Time, liked the song we finished tonight," she tossed her arm over her eyes and started to cry.
Daryl sat down beside her, pulling her in his lap. "This is part of it, darlin'. The tour is gonna take a lot more out of you… out of us. Just remember, we got each other so don't try to do this by yerself."
She looked up into his smiling blue eyes, letting his faith in her and them, wash away her doubts and fears.
Daryl started kissing her lips, bending them down to the bed. Beth pushed away from him, remembering the ribbing she took from the girls today.
"I'm tired... maybe not tonight," the look on Daryl's face made her heart fall into her stomach. He looked rejected and that ripped at her soul.
Daryl walked into the bathroom, leaving the door open. She peeked inside, seeing him splashing some cool water on his face and brush his teeth.
"Are you mad?" she asked as she stood in the door.
"Course not, Beth. But ya shouldn't let them get to ya either. We don't gotta to have sex every night," he rubbed her face as he walked by, stripping down to his boxers and crawling in bed.
"Thanks to my little pink pills, I'm gonna start my period tomorrow anyway. I know I've been moody today, sorry," she sat on the bed beside him, running her fingers over his bare chest.
Daryl took her hand in his and kissed the back of it. "If it bothers ya, I can buy some duct tape. Yer sort of a screamer, Beth."
She smacked his chest, trying not to laugh at how mischievous he was being. This side of him was all hers. No one else got to see this coy little playful side of Daryl Dixon. It was the private side of him that came out to play when they were alone and she adored it.
"Oh, I'm the screamer. I believe it was you that was saying my name rather loudly last night," she lowered herself down his body, kissing his chest, his stomach and stopping at his at the top of his hips.
Her fingers pulled his boxers down to his ankles, giving him tiny kisses all the way down.
"Beth… don't," he growled as she let her tongue licked the V that pointed to his very thick, long manhood.
"Beth," Daryl hissed out as the tip of her tongue teased the slit of his cock. "Damn… gurl."
She lowered her lips over his engorged member, taking what she could of him in as she fisted the base of his cock.
Her lips encircled his girth as her tongue stroked him, tantalizing the nerves at the head.
He groaned as she palmed his balls, working him into a heated frenzy. She'd gotten good at this, working him with her mouth until he was a quivering mess beneath her.
A victorious smile curled up on her lips when she felt his hand fist into her hair, holding her head in place. His hips started to buck, pushing more of him into her mouth.
With a pop she released his cock and continued to stroke his length. She lapped the salty liquid from his leaking tip, licking her lips while staring at him.
"I wanna kiss that mouth," he grunted at her and she grinned back at him impishly.
Her hand squeezed his balls, making him go tense. He was fucking her fist, bucking his hips with hard thrusts.
She got up on her knees, leaning over and letting him taste his salt on her lips.
"Cum for me, Daryl," she was stroking him harder while she kissed the inside of his thighs.
"Fuck!" Daryl screamed out as a thick scream of pearly cum shot all over her hand and arm.
Merle banged on the wall, yelling for them to keep it down. Beth giggled as she kissed him and jumped out of bed. "Who needs the duct tape, now?"
~ OO ~
The next week was just as frustrating as the last one. They worked at the studio until midnight or later, crashing hard in the bed from physical and mental exhaustion.
The visit from Aunt Flo came at the wrong time. Beth was an emotional roller coaster. Crying and doubting herself all the time. She was on the verge of telling Milton where to stick his, once more and Daryl could tell it.
Rosita stopped by for an update for Abe at the end of the week. Milton told her he couldn't work with Beth if she wasn't going to work with him. That was all it took for her to go off.
"Listen you little worm. I'm giving you 110%. We've got two… two damn songs done and you have killed us to get it. I sang my ass off for you and all I get is… you can do better. Screw you. You don't know shit if you ask me," she stormed out of the room and Rosita went after her.
Beth was kicking at the trashcan outside the studio, cursing under her breath when Rosita found her. Rosita placed her hands on her hips, nodding her head. "Told Abe you couldn't work with him. Milton is the best. Apocalypse Rising used him, but Karen likes to be pushed. Let me get another guy in here. He's new at producing, but I like his work. What do you say?"
"Okay," Beth said back, biting her lip.
They walked back into the studio and Rosita gave Milton her thanks, but they wouldn't be needing his services any further. He pushed his glasses up on his nose and looked glad to be done with them.
~~ OO ~~
Working on a Saturday wasn't anyone's idea of fun, but since Rosita had promised to find them a new producer, they had to be up and at it.
Beth bounced out of the bed with this new found spring to her step. It wasn't that she disliked Milton, it was that he had zero personality and was all business.
She was dressed and having a cup of coffee before Daryl even made it out of bed. Tara was finishing her cereal and Beth was making scrambled eggs when Daryl came wandering out into the kitchen.
"Morning, gorgeous. About time you got up. Have to be at the studio in an hour," Beth poured him a cup of coffee, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Tara rinsed out her bowl, giving Daryl a smirk. "From the looks of you and the way she's acting, she must have done a number on you last night, Dixon."
"Whatever, pigtails," Daryl pulled on her hair, sticking his tongue out at her.
He took a couple sips of coffee and had a cigarette before he got changed. Tara was right, Beth did do a number on him last night and he planned on returning the favor as soon as they were really alone.
They were getting ready to head out to the van when Beth grabbed his hat and placed it on his head, backwards. "Got to look the part."
"If I didn't know better, Ms. Greene, I'd think this hat turns you on," he pulled the hat down over his eyes with a crocked smile plastered on his face.
She locked her arm with his as they walked out to the elevator. "Oh, it does. Actually, next time we make love... wear just that."
Glenn let out a whistle from behind them and Beth rolled her eyes. Maggie made a gagging noise, pointing her finger towards her mouth.
Beth gave Maggie and Glenn a warning glare as they rode the elevator down and got into the van. They continued to smile at her and Daryl as they van pulled out. Beth ignored her, deciding to concentrate on Daryl and getting the album done.
Everyone seemed excited to put Milton behind them and start over fresh. They hadn't looked this alive in forever. It was as if a weight had been lifted from them. The van pulled up the studio and the girls bound out, running in to see if the producer had showed up yet.
Rosita had left a letter for them taped to the recording room door. Tara grabbed it and started reading it to them.
"The new producer is a young prodigy of Abe's that is up and coming. Don't be fooled by his age, he's got what it takes. I have no doubt you'll get this album completed in a few days under his guidance. Love, Rosita," Tara handed it to Daryl, letting the rest of them look it over.
"Okay, let's go see what wonder kid they've brought in fer us," Daryl laid the note down and opened the door.
They had barely entered the room when the loud beats of Dubstep blared back at them. Tara plugged her ears with her fingers and wrinkled her nose
"What the fuck is this shit?" Glenn said loudly, getting the guy at the mixing board attention.
He instantly turned it down and bounced up. The young black man extended his hand, shaking theirs as he introduced himself. "You must be Double Entendre. I'm Noah. Be finishing the album with you. So, what do you guys want to do first?"
Beth smiled back at him, nearly bouncing beside her boyfriend. "Have you listened to the songs we've completed?"
"Yeah. They're good. I haven't done a lot of rock before, but I did do some grunge and underground stuff. Got to say, this is the best I've heard in a while," he smiled back at them, getting curious glances in return.
Glenn leaned over towards Daryl whispering to him. "Is this kid old enough to even listen to our lyrics?"
Maggie elbowed him, telling him to be nice. The band crowded into the booth, warming up with their instruments.
"Let's get comfortable. We'll do the cover song, since you're more familiar with it then we'll work on the last two original songs. I thought Milton got Over the Bay all wrong. Alright... let's do this." The mic clicked off and Tara began to play the opening to Hit Me With Your Best Shot.
Noah loved the twist they put on the song, essentially making it theirs. Beth sang it with such power, everyone was shocked. She was in her element, giving the performance of her life.
Noon came and they took a break for lunch. They had the first cover done and Over the Bay finished. Share The Night was next and Beth was a little apprehensive about sharing such an intimate song with the world. The band knew what the lyrics meant to her and Daryl and that Daryl had written them.
She was quiet during lunch, picking at her sandwich. Daryl took her hand, kissing her knuckles.
"I want the world to know yer mine, to know how I feel about ya. Don't worry about that song. Yeah, it's my song to you, but the way you sing it, it could be anybody's song," his blue eyes looking back at her made her worry fade. She made a mental note to look at him while she sang it.
That song should only be sung to him and when they got back to the recording booth, that's what she did. Daryl looked back at her, the two of them locked in their own world.
You could have heard a pin drop when the song ended. Noah clapped his hands, giving them a standing ovation. "That is a number one single, guys."
Daryl didn't care who was looking. He rested his hand on her cheek and kissed her. His lips moved slowly against hers, as if they were alone.
"Guys. We got to figure out a cover. Can we have a band meeting?" Noah poked his head in the booth, feeling a little awkward at the public display of affection.
Glenn turned to him as he sat his drum sticks down. "You'll get used to it, we have."
~ OO ~
Hours went by as they tried to find a cover that was them. A dozen or more songs had been put out there, but there wasn't one they could all agree on.
Noah told them to take a break and they meet back up in a few. He went into the back office to call Abe, to see if there was a song he had in mind.
Daryl went out for a smoke, leaving Beth with the impressive catalog of sheet music that was at her disposal. The receptionist came in to take their dinner order, but Beth didn't feel much like eating. Maggie told the receptionist they'd order something later. She walked over to her sister, worried about the stress of all this on Beth.
"Why don't we call it a night? You'll think better after you'd had some sleep," Maggie ran her fingers through Beth's hair, remembering how she loved that when she was little.
"Yeah, you're right. I know you worry about me Mags... thanks," Beth lifted her eyes up to her sister seeing the concerned smile staring back at her.
Noah told them Abe wanted them to take a break as well. He'd get back with them in the morning. They had the recording studio booked for another week, but hopefully they wouldn't need it. They all agreed to start back bright and early the next morning.
They picked up some food and brews on the way back to the condo. Beth's mind was still running through all the cover songs she knew by heart. Daryl watched her, wondering how a man like him got a beauty like her. As soon as they were back in the condo, Beth grabbed her songbook and started flipping the pages. Tara told her to put it down and just cut loose tonight.
Daryl sat out on the balcony with Merle, having a beer as the others had pizza and played a game of cards. Merle tipped his beer back, carefully watching Daryl. He could see the something was different with his baby brother.
"She makes ya happy... don't she?" Daryl just nodded his head back at him, not really needing to say much.
"I love her, Merle," A year ago, even a few months ago, that word didn't exist in Daryl's vocabulary, but thanks to Beth he not only said it, he felt it.
"Happy fer ya, baby brother. Maybe she's the one," Merle chuckled when Daryl spat his sip of beer out. The elder Dixon patted his back as he tried to cough up the beer that had been sucked down his lungs.
"Don't go gettin' a tux just yet, Merle. I proposed once and that blew up in my face. Gonna make sure I do this right… if we get there," he was quick to add the last part, making sure Merle didn't get the wrong idea.
The gang was into an intense game of Cards Against Humanity, so Daryl grabbed Beth's iPod and crashed on the couch. He shuffled through the different play lists, flipping through song after song until he came to one that just spoke to him.
A few hours later, Beth went to wake him up for bed, but was curious what he was listening to. She gently pulled the earbuds from his ears and pushed play on the song he had on repeat. Tears filled her eyes as the song played. He had set it to repeat and fallen to sleep with the most content smile on his face.
~~ OO ~~
Beth walked into the studio with sheet music for the band. She wouldn't let them see the cover song she wanted them to record, choosing to let it be a surprise.
Noah smiled at her as he read over the lyrics, then passed the sheet music to Tara. "Why don't you and Tara do an acoustic set, then I'll add in the bass and drums later."
Tara smiled back at Beth and grabbed her hand. "You mean to make me cry, don't ya?"
Daryl, Glenn and Maggie gathered up at the glass, watching Beth placed the headphones on and Tara strap on her guitar. When Tara played the first few chords, Daryl's eyes teared up.
Beth looked back at him, nodding her head. Maggie took Glenn's hand and the room was suddenly filled with the sweetest music any of them had ever heard.
When I was younger I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind.
He broke his own heart and I watched
As he tried to reassemble it.
And my momma swore
That she would never let herself forget.
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love if it does not exist.
But darling,
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
Maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul
That love never lasts.
And we've got to find other ways to make it alone.
Or keep a straight face.
And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable distance.
And up until now I have sworn to myself
That I'm content with loneliness.
Because none of it was ever worth the risk.
Well you are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
I've got a tight grip on reality,
But I can't let go of what's in front of me here.
I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up.
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream.
Oh-oh-oh-ohhh.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
And I'm on my way to believing.
Oh, and I'm on my way to believing.
Thanks for the reviews and support. Hope this chapter didn't break too many feels. Bethyl on!
